This my excavation and today is kumran.
Everything that happens is from now on...
This is pouring rain
This is paralyzed
--Bon Iver~ re:Stacks
Bon Iver is the most soothing artist I have ever listened to. It's like his words and melodies create an addictive drone that repeats and replays in my head on days like this.
I've never been a fan of rain, although some of my fondest memories have been in the rain, or more like inside watching the rain. Maybe it's that feeling of warmth when the world outside is cold. To me, this song is about a cleansing experience that comes with putting your cards out on the table. I'm definitely not a fan of gambling but the analogy in this song of "stacks" is too pointed to miss. In a game of cards, like in life; you can either take risks and put all your chips on the table or you can sit back and guard your heart. It's kind of a challenge that I think we all go through in life in different situations. There have been times when I just feel like I need an excavation, kind of soul-searching experience to really let something go. When you have that declaration moment: FROM NOW ON... i'm not going to ________. The rain POURS and your thoughts disappear and you're paralyzed in what you've decided in your heart...
The thing that gets me about this song is the last verse where throughout the thought process he realizes that it's not like he's a new person. It's going to come back, you're going to relive it. The hurt never fully goes away: "This is not the sound of a new man"-- don't think he's got it all figured out. There's no clear slate here, it's just that he's committed to moving on. No "Crispy realization" here... he knows he's going to go back, your mind's going to wander and you're going to think back to those times BUT... that doesnt' change the path you've decided to choose.
It's kind of like Robert Frost's two roads. You've chosen this road, no bars to hold you down. This is regarding your stack of chips, everything you have out on the table and there's nowhere left to go but the future. This is what from now on feels like, are you ready for the challenge?
